Alisha Palmowski wins at home in F1 Academy Feature Race

Credit: F1 Academy via Instagram

Red Bull-backed driver and championship leader Alisha Palmowski secured the win at home for the F1 Academy Feature Race at Silverstone on Sunday morning.

The Briton started on the front row in second and had an impressive start off the line to take the lead. For the remainder of the race she held dominant over the rounds' wildcard and pole sitter Chiara Bättig who finished the race in second. They were followed by reverse grid race winner Emma Felbermayr in third.

How it happened

After securing pole position and making history in qualifying on Friday, Bättig had a strong start but was unable to hold the lead. Starting beside her, her fellow Red Bull Junior teammate Palmowski charged into first.

McLaren-backed Ella Lloyd who secured a podium in the reverse grid race also had a favourable start climbing from sixth to third.

Into Lap 2, a collision between Ella Stevens and Rafaela Ferreira marked the first yellow flag for the race and a safety car deployment. Ferreira remained in the race but had to retreat to the pits for a rear tyre change and further repairs. She later retired before the restart.

Racing resumed on Lap 5 signaling the end of the safety car with Palmowski off to a flying restart, however, Bättig was quick to react and followed close behind her.

Meanwhile, a battle arose between Lloyd and Audi-backed Felbermayr through Lap 5 and it was wheel-to-wheel for the reverse grid race podium finishers. However, it became a three-car battle when Nina Gademan joined the chase putting pressure on the two ahead.

In Lap 7, Alba Larsen found the gravel but was able to maintain composure and remain in the race, however it cost her her position as she fell into 11th.

With only four laps remaining Palmowski and Bättig continued to break away from the pack, holding a five second lead ahead of the grid.

In Lap 12, Gademan continued to put pressure on Felbermayr maintaining a gap of 0.6 seconds and closing, however Felbermayr held steady to protect her position.

As the race came to a close it was victory at Silverstone for Palmowski crossing the line in first, securing her third win for the 2026 season at home. In second, an impressive drive for Bättig secured her a podium position marking the best finish for a wildcard driver in F1 Academy.

To round out the podium after climbing from eigth, Felbermayr finished in third to earn her second podium for the weekend.

What’s next

With Palmowski leading the championship by 30 points, the 2026 F1 Academy championship season will continue for Round 4 in Zandvoort, Netherlands from 21-23 August at the Circuit Zandvoort.